Warriors coach Andrew Webster could turn to young gun Jett Cleary after the NRL team lost another halfback in their loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday night. The Warriors have been leapfrogged by the Penrith Panthers and lost their spot in the NRL’s top-four after a disastrous 32-14 loss to Canterbury.
To make matters worse, Te Maire Martin copped a head knock after just 23 minutes and was deemed to have suffered a category-one concussion. It means he’ll be stood down for 11 days and won’t be available for next week’s clash at home against the Dragons.
Jett Cleary could be pitted in a top-four battle with father Ivan and brother Nathan. Image: Getty
With regular halfback Luke Metcalf gone with an ACL injury, Webster will likely recall Tanah Boyd to first-grade after dropping him to NSW Cup in favour of Martin on Saturday. But he also has the option of handing Cleary his NRL debut.
Te Maire Martin will not play for at least 11 days after suffering a concussion in Round 23. Was deemed to have shown Category 1 symptoms (motor incoordination/balance disturbance).
His last documented concussion in the NRL was in 2023. But he does have a complex brain injury… pic.twitter.com/Nwmw2f1bSc
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 9, 2025
The younger brother of Panthers star Nathan, Jett Cleary has stepped up to NSW Cup level in recent weeks after starting the year in Jersey Flegg (Under-21s). Tellingly, the 20-year-old retained his place at halfback in NSW Cup when Boyd was demoted, with Boyd shifting to five-eighth instead.
It might suggest that Cleary has his nose in front of Boyd, although it might just be a case of Boyd being more comfortable at No.6 than his younger counterpart. Regardless, there was plenty of chatter on social media on Saturday night that Cleary should be given a chance.
The young half has made seven appearances in NSW Cup this season, helping the Warriors continue their record winning streak in reserve-grade. He performed well again on Saturday afternoon as the Warriors beat the Bulldogs 34-30.
Speaking last week, Warriors assistant coach David Tangata-Toa flagged that Cleary still has some work to do in regards to playing against men and bigger humans than he’s accustomed to. “He’s developing really nicely and no doubt there’s NRL in the future,” he told Sport Nation NZ. “There’s some challenges around him playing against bigger bodies and older men.”
Sooner than anticipated but hell why not give him a crack and see what he’s got. We’ve got nothing to lose.
— Radman 🇳🇿 (@RadmanNZ) August 9, 2025
I think it’s time for jett cleary 😂
— Name cannot be blank (@AiKae47) August 9, 2025
Jett Cleary surely in nek week
— Macsta (@RogerMacsta) August 9, 2025
Id rather we unleash Jett Cleary rather than keeping Tanah. His game is predictable and boring. Jett at least takes the line on and has pace to burn
— Imonlyheretotweet⚜️🍁🪭 (@Imonlyheretotw1) August 8, 2025
Yeah throwing him in now isn’t the answer. Selections last night seemed confusing. Wet weather football and you put the bomb machine in cup?
— something_different (@change_story1) August 9, 2025
Jett Cleary could be pitted in battle with Nathan and Ivan
Jett started in the Penrith system as a junior, but signed a three-year deal with the Warriors last year to try and forge his own path away from brother Nathan and father Ivan. If he does get handed a dream NRL debut, he’d be pitted in a battle against Nathan and Ivan as the Panthers and Warriors jostle for a top-four finish.
The Panthers are fourth after scoring a ninth-straight win in Round 23, thrashing the Knights 48-12 on Friday night. With the Warriors’ loss to the Bulldogs, they’re now down in fifth and one point behind the Panthers.
Jett Cleary in action for the Warriors in a pre-season trial game. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
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The Warriors are still no guarantee to play finals, but will finish the season with a winning record if they can snatch one more victory on the run home. “Everyone wants to be a top-four team. It gives you a really good shot at the end of the season,” Webster said on Saturday night.
“But tonight won’t define us. We’ve got a lot of football to play at the back end of this year. No one is happy in there (in the dressing room). We wish we were winning each week at the moment. But there’s a lot to build off and a lot of spirit in that group. We’ll keep fighting.”